Thrombocytopenia in lupus: baseline C3 as an independent risk factor for relapse

Abstract
From 1995 to 2004, 38 consecutive patients with SLE with a first episode of thrombocytopenia (platelet count 8 C3 level, type of treatment and organ involvement were recorded at onset of thrombocytopenia. Relapse was twice defined as a drop in platelet count 150 000). Severe thrombocytopenia (<20 000/μl) was recorded in 34.2% of patients with rare haemorrhagic manifestations. Organ involvement included, in descending order, arthritis (31.6%), renal disease (29%), rash (18.5%), manifestations of the central nervous system (13.2%) and serositis (9%). Low C3 levels …